Thanks to a career that has seen him fulfill almost every role there is to play in the pro wrestling industry, Konnan emits a sense of self-confidence that is built on a foundation of having seen and done it all. So when he says that the third part of AAA’s Triplemania XXXI — which is set for Mexico City on Saturday, Aug. 12, and can be viewed in the U.S. on PPV through Fite TV — will be a great show, it’s easy to believe him.
Just don’t expect it to be what you’re accustomed to from U.S. wrestling promotions. As Konnan told Under the Ring host Phil Strum, that would be like complaining about the lack of hot dogs at a Mexican restaurant.
“Not only do we have our own universe, we have a different style,” Konnan said. “This is Lucha Libre. It’s not American pro wrestling, it’s not Japanese pro wrestling. And so, there are things that American fans won’t understand unless they’re real big fans of Lucha Libre, and vice versa.”
But one of the things that translates across any cultural divide is talent, which Mexico has been exporting from the Lucha Libre scene for decades, from legends like Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero to one of the most talked about wrestlers in the world today, El Hijo del Vikingo.
Those kinds of performers have helped prepare fans everywhere for what Konnan says is the logical next step for AAA: delivering authentic Lucha Libre directly to U.S. viewers.
“We have our own style, we love our style, we think it’s very creative,” he said. “We think it’s very different, and hopefully next year … I can’t get into details, but we’re negotiating to come into the United States in a major way, hopefully with a TV deal.”
Listen to Konnan’s full discussion with Strum above for more on:
- How AAA tries to give each Triplemania show its own personality
- The importance of Mask vs. Hair and Mask vs. Match matches within Lucha Libre, and why the one at Triplemania Mexico City has so much potential
- What makes El Hijo del Vikingo such a special talent — and which other current wrestlers Konnan puts on his level in one special attribute
- What he looks for when evaluating talent
- How he felt seeing Mysterio inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and why he thinks Rey “revolutionized” the business
- His thoughts on seeing his godson, Dominik Mysterio, catch on in WWE
Under the Ring drops new episodes every week, with Strum utilizing contacts gleaned from years of pro wrestling fandom and coverage to have an in-depth conversation with a wrestler or other notable personality. Recent guests have included NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship No. 1 contender EC3, WWE superstar Drew McIntyre, and long-reigning former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee.
To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to Under the Ring on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice, or check out the Under the Ring YouTube channel to see all of the interviews in video form.